Flight simulators are meant to be played in VR. The level of immersion is akin to being a passenger in an actual airplane cockpit. Ever since I've experienced a flight sim in VR, I've never gone back to a flat screen. With the ability to look around the plane and the reality that you're truly there, it activates your vestibular system and proprioception, making it easier to fly and immerse in the simulated environment.

Therefore, if you're seeking the best VR flight simulator experience, look no further. In this article, we provide you with the top flight simulators for virtual reality. Let’s get started!

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2024)

The closest I've come to a realistic flight sim experience is 2024's Microsoft Flight Simulator from Asobo Studio. It's gorgeous, to say the least. The aircraft and flight models, the environments, and everything else is rendered in a highly detailed manner as it uses real-world mapping data, photogrammetry, and satellite images to allow you to fly almost anywhere in the world.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is fully compatible with VR, and it's a smooth experience across all the headsets that I've tried with it.

In Microsoft Flight Simulator, you're subject to real-world weather conditions but you can always tweak with the settings. You can customize what time of the day you want to fly as it's totally up to you what type of challenge you desire; anywhere from super easy to super hard. One of the weather features that I take advantage of puts me in tough situations for landing, so I've crashed a bunch with storms or heavy fog, but I've also had many sunny days with fair weather as I admire the graphics of some amazing landmarks and cities.

The best part about this Microsoft Flight Simulator is that it will appeal to every type of gamer. For casual gamers who just want a plug-and-play fly experience behind the yoke, there is an uncomplicated gamepad, arcade-style control option. Hardcore flight sim enthusiasts are equally catered to as well.

Moreover, the Game of the Year edition boasts a diverse catalog of planes to fly that allows you to attempt to fly everything from an Airbus A320 to a Boeing 747 to an F/A-18 Super Hornet, Cessna 152, and everything in between. There is also an in-game bustling economy where you can buy more planes, airports, liveries, etc.

So, Microsoft Flight Simulator is an excellent game that sets the bar for the best VR flight simulators. Just keep in mind you're going to need an elite custom-built computer to get Microsoft Flight Simulator VR running with decent frame rates. If you can withstand the requirements, it's a phenomenal choice.  

DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator World)

DCS World is a military flight combat simulator developed by Eagle Dynamics, allowing users to fly various military jets and helicopters, all precisely rendered digitally to their real-world counterparts. The planes are high quality, and the attention to detail in each aircraft and the accuracy of military flight combat dynamics are astonishing. The graphics and sound combine to create an ultra-realistic experience that one would expect from a top-flight simulator for virtual reality.

Where Microsoft Flight Simulator reigns supreme for a VR-based civilian flight experience, DCS World kind of holds the candle for military-based VR flight simulation and VR helicopter simulation, too. Currently, there are 7 extensive detailed maps ranging from Nevada to the Persian Gulf with enough topographical diversity and an array of planes and helicopters from WWII up to modern aircraft still in service today.

The best part? The base game is FREE on the DCS website (highly recommended) or Steam. It works with almost every VR headset for PC. Furthermore, it comes with one map and two planes to play around with; however, all the rest of the maps and airplanes are DLC.

Mastering DCS World is a long process since it will take many, many hours just to master one plane. The only true downside (aside from having to purchase planes) is that DCS World does not have proper VR controller support, so you're grabbing for your keyboard at certain points to locate some of the keys but don't let that stop you from experiencing such a well, realistic, awesome VR flight simulator experience.

DCS World is another flight sim that requires VR and a good enough computer to maintain decent frame rates, but if your computer can take it, I recommend owning DCS World and giving it a try, as it's by far one of the top flight simulators for virtual reality on the market.  

X-Plane 12

X-Plane 12 is another excellent VR flight sim and one of the best if you have a PC VR headset and a good gaming computer to experiment with. Similar to the previous version, it operates more as a sim than a game. What I mean by this is it has a ridiculously steep learning curve and unforgiving flying mechanics, so it's not for someone who wants to get on a plane for fun for a few hours and casually fly over their neighborhood.

However, if you're looking for a super realistic flying experience with a wealth of detailed features, X-Plane 12 is one of the best sim software offerings on the market. A step up from X-Plane 11, this simulator also boasts some excellent upgrades from the last version including volumetric clouds, realistic weather generation, seasons, snow and rain precipitation effects, and a global scenery package that immerses users into the world even more. Furthermore, a more enhanced lighting engine makes takeoffs and landings during sunrise and sunset even more realistic.

X-Plane 12 VR is an incredible experience. The VR controller lets you quickly grab in-cockpit controls. However, like all the titles on this list, you'll need a beast of a machine to maintain the frame rate which you'll want for high sim settings, additional plugins, and scenery.

Where Microsoft Flight Simulator may cater to the casual traveler looking to buy a flight, X-Plane 12 is the best option for the serious simulation enthusiast. It's the little things that provide the authentic experience for those looking to take off from their living room. For example, the proprietary Blade Element Theory that assesses how planes fly means that almost all planes fly in-game as they would in real life.

Yet for newcomers to flight simulation or anyone wanting nice graphics and a casual flying experience for the long haul, Microsoft Flight Simulator is the better option. It's all about how intensely involved you are in the simulation process versus what you merely appreciate in a realistic version that is easier to operate yet pretty to look at.

Furthermore, X-Plane 12 features a plethora of aircraft, from stock to ongoing paid DLC as well as extra planes and airfields. The attention to detail in the cockpit instrumentation, flight dynamics, and environmental interactions is exceptional. For instance, with a revamped weather engine and seasonal effects, you'll appreciate the difference during takeoff in the dead heat of summer and when struggling to take off in a blizzard in January.

Ultimately, the learning curve for using X-Plane 12 isn't the lowest but for the dedicated pilot, it's the ideal sim. Enhanced graphics, better meteorological effects, and more sophisticated flight dynamics render it a necessary upgrade to guarantee you're operating on one of the most detailed and best VR flight simulators out there. Just make sure your PC can run it before purchase.

VTOL VR

VTOL VR is a combat flight simulator created 100% for virtual reality. It places you in the cockpit of a variety of advanced multi-role jets, and you engage in multiple dogfights and aerial maneuvering. You can enter the game and fly from startup to shutdown without ever leaving the cockpit. Available on Steam, the game works with most PC VR headsets.

The in-game graphics aren't quite as photorealistic as DCS or MSFS. However, the entire game runs in VR, with your controllers acting as every piece of the aircraft. For example, you literally have hands in the virtual space, and extending your arm can touch every piece of electronics surrounding you in your cockpit, as it should be done—in a natural and highly tactile way.

So while VTOL is probably one of the most complete VR flight sims I've played, I get in and play for the sheer joy of it. As I said, in-game content is rather limited in comparison to other VR flight sims, and the graphics leave a bit to be desired, so it's an in-game experience that makes it enjoyable and much easier for novice aviators dedicated to more complicated flight sim activities.

The hardware requirements are far less than DCS and MSFS, so you'll likely be able to run it with great success on even a mid-level machine. It finds the sweet spot between realism and fun, but what makes VTOL VR the top of its class is the immersion of being in the cockpit. It's not only one of the best VR flight simulators out there, it may be one of the best VR experiences you can ever have, period.

Ultrawings 2 is more of an arcade-style VR sim flight experience where you have access to 5 different planes and an open world to explore. It was built from the ground up for VR, and controller support is nearly seamless, so you can use your VR hands to steer and feel controls on your craft.

Whether you’re flying over islands at your leisure and pace, or to complete different objectives for each aircraft such as flying through obstacles, popping balloons, or undertaking landing challenges; it's available to you in Ultrawings 2. There are even combat missions that place you directly into a dogfight scenario; they're detailed and a blast.

All that's required is what you have—your VR controllers—which act as your virtual hands and perform all the game controls with haptic feedback to boost your accuracy.

An ultralight plane, helicopter, stunt plane, fighter plane, and rocket-powered glider are just a few of the vehicles you'll be able to pilot in Ultrawings 2. Each provides a wildly unique experience, and all are worth taking for a ride.

If you're looking for an ultra-realistic flight simulator, this is not your game; the developers have chosen to prioritize fun over realism at times. The graphics are relatively subpar, which makes it so the game operates on Quest 2 as a standalone, and it's super accessible for anyone looking for a good VR flight sim.

Ultrawings 2 can be bought via Steam and the Oculus Store. It's compatible with the PC VR headset as well as Quest 2 or Quest Pro. If you're looking for a realistic VR flying experience, Ultrawings 2 is not the game for you; however, if you're looking for a deliciously accessible option to get up in the air in one of the top flight simulators for virtual reality, Ultrawings 2 is a wonderful choice.